Man charged after alleged attempted armed robbery at McGill’s Jewellers

A man has been charged after he allegedly attempted to steal from a Geelong jewellery store last week and fled the scene on an e-scooter.

Police have charged a man who allegedly held up a jewellery store in Geelong last week. Picture: Nine News

A man accused of attempting to rob a well-known Geelong jewellery store while armed with an imitation firearm has been charged.

Police allege the masked man entered McGill’s Jewellers on Ryrie St while armed with an imitation firearm about 4.30pm on June 20.

The store’s co-owner Sandra McGill was inside when the man allegedly walked into the store and demanded cash.

She told the Geelong Advertiser at the time she knew the situation was sinister when she saw the man wearing a mask.

McGill's Jewellers in Ryrie Street, Geelong. Picture: Alan Barber

Ms McGill said she hit the duress button and her husband came out from a back room who then followed the man outside.

It is understood her husband confronted the man and a scuffle ensued before he fled on an e-scooter.

No one was injured.

“I want him caught before he can hurt anyone else or act in this way again,” Ms McGill told the Geelong Advertiser last week.

On Thursday, police raided home in South Melbourne and allegedly found a gel blaster.

The imitation firearm is illegal in Victoria without a valid firearms licence.

Police also allegedly found three electric scooters, an electric bike and a small quantity of drugs.

A 37-year-old man has been charged by Geelong detectives with a string of offences including robbery, being a prohibited person in possession of an imitation firearm, handling stolen goods and possessing drugs of dependence.He will face Melbourne Magistrates Court on Thursday.

Originally published as Man charged after alleged attempted armed robbery at McGill’s Jewellers